# How to Help a Young Child Who Isn't Pointing to Show Things

Canonical: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/how-can-i-help-a-young-child-with-not-pointing-to-show-things
Publisher: Pinnacle Blooms Network / Bharath Healthcare Laboratories Private Limited

Pointing to share (joint attention) usually emerges by 9–15 months, so for a 12–24 month old you can encourage it daily — model big clear points, get face-to-face, follow your child's gaze and reward every attempt to share. If pointing, showing and following a point are still rare by around 15–18 months, a gentle developmental check (with a hearing check) is sensible — not alarming.

*When a little one points to share a discovery — a bird, a balloon, a biscuit — they are saying *look with me*. Helping that pointing bloom is one of the most joyful things you can do at home.*

## In short
Pointing to show things (called joint attention) usually emerges between 9 and 15 months, so for a child aged 12–24 months it is worth gently encouraging through play, naming and shared excitement. You can build it every day by getting face-to-face, exaggerating your own pointing, following your child's gaze, and rewarding any attempt to share. If a child is well past 15–18 months with little pointing, showing or following a point, that is worth a friendly developmental check — not a cause for alarm.

## Simple ways to help at home
**Make pointing irresistible to copy**
- Point clearly and slowly to interesting things — "Look, a *dog*!" — then look back at your child with delight. Children copy what they see modelled often.
- Sit or kneel face-to-face and at eye level, so your child can see your face *and* what you point to.

**Create reasons to share**
- Put a favourite toy slightly out of reach or in a clear tub so your child must request it — pause, look expectant, and accept *any* gesture (reaching, looking, an open hand) as a first step toward pointing.
- Read picture books and tap-point at one picture per page: "Where's the cat? *There!*"

**Follow your child's lead**
- When your child looks at or reaches for something, look there too, name it warmly, and react with shared joy. Following their interest teaches that sharing attention is rewarding.
- Use bubbles, windmills, peek-a-boo and lift-the-flap books — surprise naturally pulls eyes and gestures together.

**Reward every attempt**
- Respond instantly and happily to reaching, eye contact or a noise — these are the building blocks of pointing. Hand-over-hand help to point, then fade your help as your child takes over.

## When a check makes sense
Gesture, babble and shared looking are early communication milestones. If by around 15–18 months your child rarely points, shows, or follows your point, and especially if babble or response to name also seems limited, a gentle developmental check is the sensible next step — alongside a routine hearing check, since hearing affects communication. This is monitoring and support, not a diagnosis.

## The Pinnacle way
A clinical [AbilityScore®](/ask/what-is-the-abilityscore-and-how-is-it-calculated) and any diagnosis are formed only at a Pinnacle Blooms Network centre, under qualified clinician care — never from an app, a checklist or a single observation at home. Our team can profile your child's communication strengths across domains and, where helpful, shape playful goals through [speech therapy](https://www.pinnacleblooms.org/top-speech-therapy-center-india-proven-improvement-rate) so progress is measured against your own child's baseline. Explore more support at [Pinnacle Blooms Network](/).

## Trusted sources
Guidance here is aligned with the CDC's developmental-milestone resources, the American Academy of Pediatrics' HealthyChildren guidance on early communication, and ASHA's parent resources on gestures and joint attention.

**Next step —** try one of these games today, and if you'd like a friendly developmental check, message the Pinnacle team on WhatsApp at +91 91001 81181 to arrange a screen.

## Sources
- CDC — developmental milestones for young children: https://www.cdc.gov/child-development
- AAP HealthyChildren — early communication: https://www.healthychildren.org
- ASHA — gestures and joint attention: https://www.asha.org

## Connected topics and perspectives
- Behaviours: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/behaviours
- Parent: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/lens/stakeholder/parent
- Communication: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/lens/domain/communication
- Home Support: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/lens/intent/home_support
- Screen: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/lens/lifecycle/screen
- Speech Therapy: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/lens/route/speech-therapy
- Early Clarity: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/lens/empowerment/early_clarity

## Related question paths

### Recognise signs & concerns
- Can Not Pointing To Show Things Be an Early Sign of a Developmental Concern?: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/can-not-pointing-to-show-things-be-an-early-sign-of-a-developmental-concern
- Should I worry about not pointing to show things in a 1-year-old?: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/should-i-worry-about-not-pointing-to-show-things-in-a-1-year-old
- When should I worry about not pointing to show things?: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/when-should-i-worry-about-not-pointing-to-show-things-in-my-child
- Should a frontline worker refer a child not pointing to show things?: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/should-a-frontline-worker-refer-a-child-showing-not-pointing-to-show-things
- Absent Pointing to Show: A Clinician's Signs Guide: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/what-developmental-conditions-can-not-pointing-to-show-things-in-a-child-point-to
- When should a doctor investigate not pointing to show things in a young child?: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/when-should-a-doctor-investigate-not-pointing-to-show-things-in-a-young-child

### Explore causes & influences
- What causes not pointing to show things in young children?: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/what-causes-not-pointing-to-show-things-in-young-children
- Why a 1-Year-Old May Not Point to Show Things: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/what-causes-not-pointing-to-show-things-in-a-1-year-old

### Explore therapy & support
- What should I do if my child doesn't point at things?: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/what-should-i-do-if-my-child-doesn-t-point-at-things
- Can Not Pointing To Show Things Be a Sign of Autism?: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/can-not-pointing-to-show-things-be-a-sign-of-autism
- Do children usually outgrow not pointing to show things?: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/do-children-usually-outgrow-not-pointing-to-show-things
- Is Not Pointing To Show Things Normal?: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/is-not-pointing-to-show-things-a-normal-part-of-child-development
- What makes not pointing to show things worse in a child?: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/what-makes-not-pointing-to-show-things-worse-in-a-child
- What other behaviours often occur with Not Pointing To Show Things?: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/what-other-behaviours-often-occur-with-not-pointing-to-show-things
- How can a teacher support a 1-year-old who isn't pointing to show things?: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/how-can-a-teacher-support-a-1-year-old-who-shows-not-pointing-to-show-things-in-class
- How therapy addresses a child not pointing to show things: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/how-does-therapy-address-not-pointing-to-show-things-in-a-child
- How should a frontline worker respond to a child not pointing to show things?: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/how-should-a-frontline-worker-respond-to-not-pointing-to-show-things-in-a-child
- How should a teacher respond to not pointing to show things in a young child?: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/how-should-a-teacher-respond-to-not-pointing-to-show-things-in-a-young-child
- Therapy techniques for not pointing to show things: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/what-therapy-techniques-help-a-child-with-not-pointing-to-show-things

### At home & in everyday life
- How do I handle not pointing to show things in a 1-year-old?: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/how-do-i-handle-not-pointing-to-show-things-in-a-1-year-old
- How can I work on pointing with my child at home?: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/how-can-i-work-on-pointing-and-with-my-child-at-home
- How to Work on Pointing Gesture at Home: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/how-can-i-work-on-pointing-gesture-with-my-child-at-home